Best big cheap cars - practical used choices for every budget

Full of Gallic flair both inside and out, the Peugeot 5008 is practical, reliable and surprisingly good fun to drive.

There’s a strong engine range with plenty of petrol and diesel options, of which we prefer the suavity of the petrol-engined cars - our chosen 1.2-litre 130 engine is both punchy and efficient, as well as being the most plentiful.

And we like its ride and handling balance, too, which means the 5008 never feels cumbersome or intimidating to drive despite its size and is always a comfy place to be. Refinement levels are also high, and it’s especially hushed at motorway speeds. 

Those rugged looks cover a plush interior that still looks futuristic. It’s impressively spacious and flexible in there, too, and it will seat seven in comfort. The boot is also a good size. Throw in its temptingly low used prices, age-for-age, and you can see why we rank it so highly. 

"Whenever I've driven a 5008 I'm always most impressed by the interior. It's wonderfully plush for a car of this price as well as being impressively stylish and more than spacious for a family of four or more." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2021 Peugeot 5008 1.2 PureTech Allure, 42,000 miles, £15,995

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Fancy an MPV with a little panache? The Grand C4 SpaceTourer is well equipped, stylish and comfortable. The engine range is strong and fuel-efficient, and the car rides and handles well for its size. Refinement is good, too. 

And if you’re looking for the maximum amount of space for your money, the C4 SpaceTourer may well be it. Buyers on an even tighter budget could consider the Grand C4 Picasso, which was the forerunner of this car -  it’s virtually identical in all but name and even cheaper to buy. 

The interior is, of course, the star of the show - it’s huge. There’s also a capacious boot with a large, flat load area and a low entrance height. Our reliability reports are a little mixed, though, with some electrical issues reported, but overall, owners praise the dealer network and seem happy. 

"I know that the idea of a seven-seat MPV might not appeal in this day and age, but the SpaceTourer is a really good-looking thing and highly competent." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2021 Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer 1.6 BlueHDi 120 Flair, 45,000 miles, £14,000

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Spot on, straight out of the box, the Skoda Kodiaq was the firm’s first stab at a seven-seater. For families looking for a highly practical SUV on a tight budget, a second-hand Kodiaq may well be the answer to their prayers - with used prices now dipping temptingly low, even the oldest Kodiaq looks remarkably good value. 

The good news is it’s looking pretty reliable, too, with a high score in our most recent reliability survey. Owners pointed out that most faults were related to minor electrical or infotainment issues only.

We’d opt for the gutsy 1.5 150 petrol-engined car, it being the best value and most numerous. Like all Kodiaqs, it’s good to drive and pleasantly refined. It doesn’t ride as well as a Peugeot 5008, admittedly, but it does handle better. 

"This is one big bear of a car, highly practical and one that has enough character that your kids will probably give it a name." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2021 Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TSI SE L DSG (7 Seat), 38,000 miles, £16,999

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The second-generation Audi Q7 has won multiple What Car? awards over the years, and it’s not surprising: it’s an impeccable family car, an excellent long-distance tourer, and an outstanding luxury vehicle. It can seat up to seven in comfort and yet retains the driving manners of a much smaller and lighter car. It’s also incredibly smooth and refined, with a pillowy ride. 

On top of that, few cars have a plusher interior, and few are as versatile. Inside, the Q7 offers more rear leg room than a Land Rover Discovery. Anyone under six feet will find the third-row seats comfortable, too. The boot is huge, big enough to take 10 carry-on suitcases, and usefully sized even with all seven seats up.

Be warned, though, reliability, once one of the Q7’s ace cards, has dipped a little in recent years, and repairs can be expensive. 

"What can you say about the swish Q7? I know the earlier cars have that more intuitive infotainment but later ones are more refined and efficient." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2018 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI S line, 68,000 miles, £24,500

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The Volvo XC90 is versatile, spacious and extremely capable. It seems to have been locked in a head-to-head battle with the Audi Q7 for years, the Volvo being the option for those who admire the Scandi-cool modernism of its design over the more logical approach of the German car.

In truth, the Q7 has better road manners and is more refined, but there are plenty for whom this XC90 will still be just the ticket. After all, Volvo also knows a thing or two about creating upmarket interiors, and this one is both classy and comfortable.

Space is plentiful, and even in the rearmost two seats, there is more than adequate room for adults for shorter journeys. Flexibility is first-class, too. Boot space is huge in five-seat mode and still pretty good with all the seats up.

"If you love that Volvo feel, and I do, you'll love the XC90. It's like spending the afternoon driving round in the World of Leather showroom." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2018 Volvo XC90 D5 Momentum Pro, 63,000 miles, £25,000

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The Hyundai Santa Fe is large, practical and excellent value, and in this fourth-generation version, a decent alternative to its premium-badged rivals.

It was initially available with just the one engine option, a 2.2-litre diesel unit. However, in 2021, Hyundai updated the car with revised exterior styling and two new petrol-hybrid engine options, both of which were noticeably more refined than the old diesel-engined car. As with the similar Sorento, if you can stretch to it, they would be our choice, but the earlier and cheaper 2.2 Santa Fe is still a remarkably good load lugger. 

You’ll have no problems with reliability, whichever you go for: the Santa Fe finished top of the seven-seater class in our most recent reliability survey. Only its relatively high used prices count against it. 

"I think this is one of the most competent seven-seat cars here because it can cope with people and clutter and luggage and not get too fazed." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Premium SE, 45,000 miles, £24,450

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Unlike previous Kia Sorentos, this fourth-generation model is especially eye-catching inside and out – yet, despite that, it doesn’t compromise on its more sensible attributes. It excels in so many areas, including practicality, economy and equipment.

Engine options include a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and regular diesel, of which we’d choose the regular hybrid for its smoothness and performance, although those with more money to spend might find the plug-in hybrid worth a punt, if you have somewhere to plug it in. Indeed, it goes and handles rather like the later versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is hardly surprising as it shares most of its underpinnings with that car.

Like the Santa Fe, it’s got a commodious interior and boot, and its popularity is such that its used prices are still on the high side. 

"For my money, the equal of the Santa Fe in many ways, the Sorento comes from new with a transferable seven-year warranty.' - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2021 Kia Sorento 1.6h T-GDi 3, 25,000 miles, £25,000 

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The number one choice for airport-run taxi firms for years, the Ford Galaxy is, quite simply, enormous.

Inside, you'll find seating for seven adults and even a bit of space left over for your luggage. On top of all that, it's good to drive and comfortable, too. 

Though we don’t have any recent reliability stats, the Galaxy has always performed quite well in our past reliability surveys. Powershift automatics can be troublesome and need frequent fluid changes, so check the history for evidence of this, and obviously avoid those ex-taxis, which will have huge mileages.

Indeed, your number one problem might be finding a Galaxy that has an average mileage on it. However, if you do, then this is one great all-rounder and a deeply impressive MPV.

"My dad had one of these when he first started chauffeuring and it ran reliably for years. Took us on family holidays too." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2021 Ford Galaxy 2.0TDCi 150 Zetec, 70,000 miles, £15,000

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There’s nothing else quite like the Volkswagen ID Buzz. It combines the practicality of an MPV with the comfort and refinement of a premium SUV and the low running costs of an electric car.

It's good to drive, nicely refined, surprisingly comfortable and absolutely massive inside, with more space than most of its rivals can offer, even put together. Initially a five-seater only, later (more expensive) long-wheelbase versions are now available with seven seats. Unsurprisingly, even the regular Buzz’s boot is huge, with 1121 litres of space, which means you’ll have room for 16 carry-on suitcases. 

Early models had an official range of 255 miles. Indeed, if it fits into your lifestyle, the only problem with the ID Buzz is that it is rather expensive new. Luckily, used prices look more affordable.  

"Our overall What Car? Car of the Year winner in 2022 and now looking good on the used market. Driving is believing, because you'll never guess how nice this is to punt around or just to be driven in until you've experienced it." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2022 Volkswagen ID Buzz Pro 77kWh Life, 21,000 miles, £36,500

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The only estate car on our list, the Skoda Superb Estate is massive inside, useful if you're looking for maximum passenger and load space.

Being shorter than most SUVs and MPVs, the Superb may not have a raised seating position, but it does have a lower loading height at the rear, useful when transporting ageing dogs or Ikea flatpacks.

It should also give it a natural dynamic advantage, and on the road, the ride and handling both impress. There’s a good choice of petrol and diesel engines too, including a smooth 1.5 TSI 150 petrol and a punchy 2.0 TDI 150 diesel, with later models offering a plug-in hybrid.

Reliability is looking good, so far, and much better than its rival, the Volkswagen Passat Estate. The Superb’s used prices are likewise more competitive.  

"Like the Passat, the Superb majors on space. It's not quite as well finished inside as the Passat, but it is more reliable and for me that seals the deal." - George Hill, used cars writer 

We found: 2021 Skoda Superb Estate 1.6 TDI SE Business, 74,900 miles, £13,900

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